Reading Fantasy / Horror in September 2026

[Westy]

I just finished reading Gorel and the Pot Bellied God which is described as a “Guns & Sorcery Novella” by Lavie Tidhar. It features the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This character is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return and have his revenge. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict.

The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), not to mention the living gods. This novella features an adventure to Wat Falang, which is the fane of the titular Pot Bellied God of the frog people. Along the way, Gorel teams up with Kettle (an Avian) and Sereli (an aquatic hybrid). All of them have their own reasons to be on this adventure, and it is unlikely they can succeed or even survive.

This world is rather refreshing, and reminds me of the old style sword and sorcery stories like those of Faferd and the Grey Mouser, or Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion tales. It’s an interesting setting! I now look forward to reading the other Gorel of Goliris novella The Black God’s Kiss.

Had been on my TBR for a while...he's a great writer!

 

[Randy M.]

I just finished reading Gorel and the Pot Bellied God which is described as a “Guns & Sorcery Novella” by Lavie Tidhar. It features the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This character is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return and have his revenge. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict.

The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), not to mention the living gods. This novella features an adventure to Wat Falang, which is the fane of the titular Pot Bellied God of the frog people. Along the way, Gorel teams up with Kettle (an Avian) and Sereli (an aquatic hybrid). All of them have their own reasons to be on this adventure, and it is unlikely they can succeed or even survive.

This world is rather refreshing, and reminds me of the old style sword and sorcery stories like those of Faferd and the Grey Mouser, or Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion tales. It’s an interesting setting! I now look forward to reading the other Gorel of Goliris novella The Black God’s Kiss.

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

 

[Fryan]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

There’s also a traditional metal band named Smoulder and that’s one of their song titles. They also have at least one Eternal Champion inspired song.

 

[Cicero]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Ive read the Jirel stories top notch stuff. he husband Henry Kuttenr was quite good too . Elak of Atlantis and The Dark World , both classics.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

I’ll report back when I read it! I have to say the cover art would have me interested even if I knew nothing about Gorel.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

Had been on my TBR for a while...he's a great writer!

I really agree! I started off with Central Station…

 

[Westy]

I read A Trade of Blood, the 3rd book in the Ana and Din Mysteries series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Like others here, not as good as the first two. It felt a bit formulaic at times and not as interesting/exciting, plus there was a lot less of Ana, and pretty much nothing about the Leviathans at all.

Still a decent read but, like with many books in series (for me anyway), the enjoyment of the originality of the first book starts to wear off after a while. And apparently book 4 is in the works and he could be writing 7 or 8 of them if the demand is there! They are popular so I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Hobbit]

I read A Trade of Blood, the 3rd book in the Ana and Din Mysteries series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Like others here, not as good as the first two. It felt a bit formulaic at times and not as interesting/exciting, plus there was a lot less of Ana, and pretty much nothing about the Leviathans at all.

Still a decent read but, like with many books in series (for me anyway), the enjoyment of the originality of the first book starts to wear off after a while. And apparently book 4 is in the works and he could be writing 7 or 8 of them if the demand is there! They are popular so I wouldn't be surprised.

I still have this in the pile. It is beginning to sound like the series is running out of steam, sadly.

 

[Cicero]

I remember read Jose Phillip Farmer River books I read the most 2 and they were excellent book 3 , I absolutely couldn't finish. .